A senior Minister in Mamata Banerjee’s Cabinet has accused the Union Government and a private airlines of criminal negligence in letting two corona infected passengers to fly in from Chennai to Kolkata.

 Bengal Minister Subhendu Adhikary on Monday said that a person called Indrajit Dolui who tested positive for the virus along with an acquaintance was allowed to travel in a private airlines to Kolkata compromising a number of other passengers safety.

“The swab of this man and his acquaintance was collected on June 12 where after the reports came out three days later. Both of them tested positive. In spite of that they purchased tickets of a Kolkata bound flight and travelled back to this city,” Adhikary alleged saying “this is the instance of utmost and criminal negligence not only on the part of the Airlines but also the Civil Aviation Ministry,” which should have screened them at the airport itself.

“The infected persons who belong to East Midnapore district are irresponsible but what about the Airlines and the Ministry who put at risk the safety of so many passengers who travelled with them on the said day?” the Minister asked.

Meanwhile, the Bengal BJP on Monday staged rallies at various points of Kolkata protesting against the lackadaisical approach of the State Government in tackling the Corona cases. “Already we have crossed 10,000 mark and the number of infected patients are increasing by the hour… whereas the Government seems to be sleeping,” said BJP leader Locket Chatterjee.

Elsewhere, the Eastern Railways have started conducting feasibility study of starting suburban train service in and around Kolkata. The reports would be submitted before the authorities in a week’s time, sources said adding decisions would be taken thereafter.